NEW DELHI: Fair trade regulator CCI on Friday rejected a complaint of anti-competitive practices made against the country's largest car manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki.

It was alleged that Maruti Suzuki abused its dominant market position by imposing unfair conditions for transporting its vehicles through car carrier trucks (CCTs).

As per the complaint, the company produces half the country's cars and uses 50 per cent of CCTs in the country.

For the case, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) considered 'market for transportation of light vehicles in India through CCTs' as the relevant market.

Citing CMIE data, the watchdog said the company had a market share of about 40 per cent with a production of 13.08 lakh cars in 2014-15.

The share comes down further if the transport of other new light vehicles through CCTs is considered. It slips further if the transport of old light vehicles is considered, CCI said.

"Therefore, OP (Maruti Suzuki) does not appear to be a dominant consumer in the relevant market. In the absence of dominance of the opposite party, its conduct need not be examined under the provisions of the Section 4 of the Act," the Commission said in a recent order.

Section 4 of the Competition Act pertains to abuse of dominant market position.

According to CCI, the company may need services of CCTs of a particular description in the sense that CCT uses a particular type of VTS (Vehicle Tracking System).

In comparison to the charges of CCTs, the subscription charge for VTS is insignificant, the commission said, adding that therefore, the act of securing interests through use of a particular type of VTS cannot be considered anti-competitive.

It was also alleged by the complainant that the company manufactures and sells more cars in the National Capital Region (NCR) than other states.

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In 2018, automobile demand remained robust despite the slowdown overcast in the last three months of year. All segments reported strong double-digit growth in the calendar year ending December 31 except passenger vehicles which reported a growth of 5 per cent. Three-wheelers sales grew fastest followed by commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, and passenger vehicles. The overall automobile sales crossed 26.7 million units for the first time.

In 2018, automobile demand remained robust despite the slowdown overcast in the last three months of year. All segments reported strong double-digit growth in the calendar year ending December 31 except passenger vehicles which reported a growth of 5 per cent. Three-wheelers sales grew fastest followed by commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, and passenger vehicles. The overall automobile sales crossed 26.7 million units for the first time.